FEED THE HUNGRY IN SOUTH AFRICA DURING COVID-19 Crisis
JUST R70/£3/DKK25 can provide a 12.5 kg sack of maize for a family of 4 for 2 weeks.
As the world reels from the impact of the spread of COVID-19 South Africa has acted relatively quickly to curb the spread of the virus. On the 18th March the President closed all schools across the country in a bid to slow the infection rates. All school feeding schemes were also stopped. On the 23rd March, a national lockdown was mandated and all citizens except for key workers were ordered to stay at home for 3 weeks from midnight on 26 March This has been extended by another 2 weeks.
Individuals are not allowed to leave their homes except under strictly controlled circumstances, such as to seek medical care, buy food, medicine and other supplies or collect a social grant.
It is true to say that most people here work in the "informal sector" - they sell goods on the roadside, do piece work, guard cars or recycle waste - but residents cannot work when they have been ordered to stay indoors.
Looting and theft throughout South Africa is on the rise as is anger, hunger and desperation.
You can help!
We have been keeping in close communication with Robert & Milton in Bambanani village to keep up to date with what is happening in Bambanani village and doing what we can when we can.
More is needed. There are thought to be between 60,000 and 80,000 people in need in our area alone. The additional grant money has not yet arrived and the government promised food parcels have not made it to the village yet. We are not sure if they will. In addition, the criteria that must be satisfied in order to receive promised food parcels might not be achievable so many people will fall through the cracks, especially in the outlying areas where we work.
Just before the lockdown, Love Africa Youth had started to offer support to the Ulawzoluhle (Good Knowledge) Daycare Centre in Nybe, another location/squatter camp in Ermelo and we want to get e-pap and mealie meal to the families in most need who are associated with that daycare centre .
We have been keeping in touch with local pastors through the lockdown period and are seeking to offer assistance, in line with Love Africa Youth's remit, to their congregants who are facing desperation.
We have just secured a permit so that we can deliver emergency aid to those in need and are liaising with people in and around Ermelo to raise funds for those for whom help has not yet arrived.
We have found ways to identify those who need help the most.
We have secured the means to deliver supplies.
Now we need your help!
JUST R70/£3/DKK25 can provide a sack of maize for a family of 4 for 2 weeks.
Love Africa Youth use all donations to provide mealie meal for families during the lockdown, as well as supporting families and their communities to pick up the pieces of their lives after lockdown.
Our volunteers have direct access to the most in need and are well placed to be able to assist quickly and efficiently. All funds go to those who need it the most.
